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Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
LIFELINE SERVICE AND LINK-UP PROGRAM
AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES
The Federal Communications Commission and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission have established two programs to make basic telephone service more affordable to eligible customers. Lifeline Service is a program designed to make basic telephone service available at reduced rates to eligible residential customers. Customers' eligibility to receive the discount must be renewed annually. Link-Up is a program designed to offer eligible residential customers a reduction in installation charges for telephone service.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible you must participate in at least one of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP a/k/a Food Stamps)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medical Assistance (Medicaid/SoonerCare)
- Vocational Rehabilitation (including aid to the hearing impaired)
- Oklahoma Sales Tax Relief
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
In addition to the above programs, residential customers living on former tribal lands in Laverne and Gate may be eligible if they participate in one of these additional programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) tribally-administered block grant programs
- Head Start Programs (only applicant or customer who satisfies the income qualifying eligibility provision); or
- National School Lunch Program (only applicant or customer who satisfies the income standard of the program for free meals)
Lifeline customers can also subscribe to optional services at the same rate offered to other customers.
What Universal Services are available to all customers?
Universal Services are offered to all customers of Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. Universal Services available include:
- Voice grade access to the public switched network
- Local usage
- Dual tone multi-frequency signaling or its functional equivalent
- Single-party service or its functional equivalent
- Access to emergency services
- Access to operator services
- Access to interexchange services
- Access to directory assistance
- Toll limitation for qualifying low-income consumers
Unlimited local calling is $16.15 for residential service and $31.30 for businesses.
How do Telephone Customers and Applicants for Telephone Service Apply for Lifeline and Link-Up Programs?
Customers may request enrollment forms from the PTCI business office.
How to Apply for Telephone Service?
If you do not have telephone service and wish to obtain telephone service and you are in the Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. service areas; or if you have telephone service and you move and you qualify for the Link-Up Program and you are in the Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. service areas, please call our office number 1-800-562-2556 or 580-338-2556, and we will be glad to assist you.
Lifeline can only be applied to one wireline OR wireless telephone per household.
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